All Questions
31 questions
32
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is the Hurewicz theorem ever used to compute abelianizations?
The Hurewicz theorem tells us that if $X$ is a path-connected space then $H_1(X, \, \mathbb{Z})$ is isomorphic to the abelianisation of $\pi_1(X)$. This gives a potential method for computing the ...
user81684
24
votes
1
answer
968
views
Groups whose finite index subgroups of fixed index are isomorphic
I am interested in finitely generated groups $G$ that are residually finite and have the following property: For each $d \geq 1$, $G$ has subgroups of finite index $d$, and all such subgroups are ...
- 11.9k
17
votes
3
answers
1k
views
The second homotopy group of a simple CW-complex
Let $X$ be a CW-complex with
one 0-cell
two 1-cells
three 2-cells
no cells in dimensions 3 or higher.
Is it always true that $\pi_2(X)\ne 1$?
- 1,181
15
votes
1
answer
640
views
Torsion-free group that is not of type F but is virtually of type F
Recall that a group $G$ is of type F if there exists a compact $K(G,1)$.
There are many examples of groups which are not of type F but which are virtually of type F, that is, they have finite-index ...
- 153
13
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Which groups are LERF?
A finitely generated group $G$ is called LERF if every finitely generated $H \leq G$ is closed in the profinite topology on $G$ (equivalently, there is a family of finite index subgroups of $G$ ...
- 11.3k
13
votes
1
answer
218
views
The finiteness criterium $F$ under quasi-isometry
A group $G$ is defined to have $F$ if there exists a finite $K(G,1)$.
This property is clearly not invariant under quasi-isometry as one can see from the trivial group and $\mathbb{Z}_2$.
My question:...
- 131
13
votes
1
answer
289
views
Powers of the Euler class, torsion free subgroup of Homeo($S^1$)
For any subgroup $G$ of $\text{Homeo}(S^1)$, we have the Euler class $\chi$ in the group cohomology $H^2(G;\mathbb{Z})$. One can think of this class as the pullback of the generator of $H^2(\mathrm{B}\...
- 1,003
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Proving that a countable group is not finitely generated
I would like to learn about techniques for proving that a countable group is not finitely generated. I am also interested in learning about examples. Finally, I am particularly, but not exclusively, ...
- 121
10
votes
2
answers
890
views
Are virtual cubulated groups cubulated?
Suppose $G$ has a finite index subgroup $N$ such that $N$ acts properly and cocompactly on a CAT(0)-cube complex. Does $G$ also act properly and cocompactly on a CAT(0)-cube complex?
Edit: After ...
- 539
10
votes
1
answer
580
views
Nonhyperbolic groups that contain no free abelian groups or Baumslag-Solitar groups
I've heard it conjectured that a finitely presentable group $G$ is hyperbolic if it satisfies the following two conditions.
$G$ contains no subgroup isomorphic to a Baumslag-Solitar group $BS(n,m)$ (...
- 103
10
votes
0
answers
458
views
is a group $G$, that admits finite $k(G, 1)$ and has no Baumslag-Solitar subgroups, necessarily hyperbolic?
This is the first question asked in Bestvina's article "Questions in Geometric Group Theory". Does anyone know if there has been any progress made on this problem? Is the question answered if $G$ is ...
- 101
8
votes
2
answers
507
views
Contractible Rips complex from non-hyperbolic group
I heard that the Rips complexes associated to the Cayley graphs of hyperbolic groups are contractible for a sufficiently large radius. Is the converse true? Namely, if a group is non-hyperbolic, then ...
- 903
8
votes
2
answers
596
views
Infinite loop space maps into or out of BAut(F_n)
There is an inclusion $S_n \to Aut(F_n)$ from the symmetric group into the automorphism group of a free group. After applying the Quillen +-constriction, both $BS_{\infty}$ and $BF_{\infty}$ become ...
- 2,734
7
votes
2
answers
537
views
Residually finite + torsion free + finite index = finite complex?
Suppose $G$ is a residually-finite group and $H < G$ a torsion-free subgroup of finite index.
What characterizes such $G$ such that $BH$ is homotopic to a finite complex?
I believe Serre showed ...
- 2,734
6
votes
1
answer
658
views
Generalized Birman exact sequence for surfaces with boundaries
Let $S_g^n$ be a surface of genus g with n boundaries and let $Mod(S_g^n)$ be its mapping class group.
We will also denote by $S_{g,m}^n$ a surface of genus g with n boundaries and m punctures.
The ...
6
votes
1
answer
406
views
Connection between Stalling's end theorem and Seifert-van Kampen Theorem
Stalling`s end Theorem (a group has more than one end iff it splits over a finite subgroup) and the Seifert-van Kampen Theorem (the fundamental group of a 'decomposable' space is a free amalgamated ...
- 721
5
votes
2
answers
666
views
HNN extensions which are free products
which HNN-extensions are free products? this question is related with another still unsolved about Nielsen-Thruston-reducibility and connected-sum-irreducibility of 3d-torus- bundles...
- 345
5
votes
1
answer
512
views
What are the cohomological dimensions of ${\rm Aut}(F_n)$, ${\rm Out}(F_n)$, ${\rm SL}_n(\mathbb{Z})$ over the rationals ℚ and integers ℤ?
$\DeclareMathOperator\Aut{Aut}\DeclareMathOperator\Out{Out}\DeclareMathOperator{\cd}{cd}\DeclareMathOperator\SL{SL}$For a group $G$, the cohomological dimension of $G$ over the ring $R$, denoted by $\...
- 331
5
votes
1
answer
336
views
"Simplicial complex" product of groups?
Let $X=(V,E)$ be a graph, and to each vertex $v \in V$, associate a group $G_v$. The graph product of the groups $G_v$ (as defined e.g. here) is $F/R$; the quotient of the free product of the $G_v$ by ...
- 208
5
votes
1
answer
264
views
Bases of surface groups
Let $\Gamma_g$ be a surface group of genus $g \geq 2$. A $2g$-tuple $(x_1,y_1, \dots,x_g,y_g) \in \Gamma_g^{2g}$ will be called a Surface Basis if we have the presentation $$\Gamma_g = \langle x_1, ...
- 11.3k
5
votes
0
answers
140
views
Reference request: Name or use of this group of diffeomorphisms of the disc
Let $k \in \{0,\infty\}$, $G\subseteq \operatorname{Diff}^k(D^n)$ be the set of diffeomorphisms $\phi:D^n\to D^n$ of the closed $n$-disc $D^n$ (with its boundary) satisfying the following:
$
\phi(S_r^...
- 5,405
4
votes
2
answers
337
views
A Karrass-Solitar theorem for surface groups
Let $\Gamma_g$ be a surface group of genus $g \geq 2$. That is, there is a presentation $$\Gamma_g = \langle x_1, y_1, \dots, x_g, y_g \vert \prod_{i = 1}^{g}[x_i,y_i] = 1\rangle$$
Is there a ...
- 11.3k
4
votes
1
answer
365
views
Topological interpretation for groups of type $FP_2$
A group $G$ is of type $FP_2$ if it admits a partial projective resolution of $\mathbb{Z}G$-modules $$ P_2 \rightarrow P_1 \rightarrow P_0 \rightarrow \mathbb{Z} \rightarrow 0$$ with each $P_i$ being ...
4
votes
0
answers
453
views
Problem 1.8 from Kirby's list
Context
I looked through a book called "Problems in Low-Dimensional Topology", where Rob Kirby lists a set of problems. He provides a list of problems, states their conjectures, and ...
3
votes
1
answer
267
views
In what sense is every element of $H_2(G)$ "represented by a free action on some surface"
(This is a cross-post of this unanswered math.stackexchange question)
In Edmond's 1982 paper Surface Symmetry II, at the bottom of page 145, he writes:
"Corollary - If $G$ is a split nonabelian ...
- 7,527
3
votes
1
answer
432
views
Relation between conjugacy class, quotient isomorphism class, and signature of Fuchsian groups
Let $\Gamma\le SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ be a finite index subgroup, not necessarily "congruence".
Let $c_4,c_6$ be the number of conjugacy classes of elements of order 4 and 6 respectively, let $c_{-1}$ be ...
- 7,527
3
votes
0
answers
115
views
Finite homology of a homogeneous space
Let $\Gamma$ be a cocompact lattice in $\operatorname{SL}(2,\mathbb R)$ and $X=\operatorname{SL}(2,\mathbb R)/\Gamma$ be the underlying homogeneous space. Can the homology group $H_1(X,\mathbb Z)$ be ...
3
votes
0
answers
393
views
What about a Cayley n-complex for n>2?
Let $G$ be a finitely presented group. The Cayley graph of the finite generating set is a $1$-complex where the $0$-cells are the elements of $G$ and the $1$-cells are given by the generators (...
3
votes
0
answers
128
views
Salvetti complexes and cohomology of affine completion of Artin groups $E_6$ and $E_7$
After the solution of the Brieskorn-Arnold Pham conjecture on the asphericity of a space for affine Artin groups by Paolini and Salvetti MR4243019 (arXiv), I would like to know if there are ...
- 2,630
3
votes
0
answers
421
views
Marshall Hall's theorem for surface groups [closed]
Let $\Gamma_g$ be a surface group of genus $g \geq 2$, that is we have a presentation: $$\Gamma_g = \langle x_1,y_1 \dots, x_g,y_g \vert \prod_{i = 1}^g [x_i,y_i] = 1\rangle$$
Let $H \leq \Gamma_g$ ...
- 11.3k
1
vote
0
answers
113
views
Question on models for $EG$ for a $G$-CW complex
I am having trouble finding information on a definition in P. Hanham's PhD thesis paper. recall that given a discrete group $G$ a $G$-CW-complex $X$ is a CW-complex equipped with a topological $G$ ...
- 233